We’ve all heard “Don’t text and drive!” time and time again, yet the rate of auto accidents caused by drivers texting behind the wheel is increasing exponentially. The South Florida Sun Sentinel found a correlation between smartphone ownership and the rising rate of car accidents. In analyzing 3 million crashes, they discovered that failure to stay in the correct lane rose 50% in 2016 compared to 2013. Running a stop sign was also up 48% when comparing stats from 2016 to 2013. A big part of the problem, many will agree, is distracted driving. The rise of smartphone use, especially texting while driving, is one of the major reasons so many car accidents happen.
This epidemic recently hit even closer to home when four people were killed in separate traffic accidents in just one day here in Brevard County. Florida Today interviewed Brevard’s highway patrol spokesperson who confirmed that the number of traffic fatalities is climbing. Could this be linked to drivers being distracted by their phones? It’s quite a possibility. Distracted driving comes in many forms and is the leading cause of car accidents. Texting, of course, is a huge distraction because not only are the drivers’ eyes not on the road, neither are their hands. This can lead to swerving, speeding, and is comparable to driving drunk. Eating while driving, putting on makeup on the work commute, chatting with friends, and even changing the radio station are all examples of distracted driving. Have you ever seen someone reading a newspaper or book while cruising down A1A? Amazingly, it happens, which is why it’s so important to practice defensive driving and be on the lookout for distracted drivers.
At risk of sounding redundant, we at Nance Cacciatore urge you to stay vigilant about focusing on the road and put the phone away while driving. Be aware of the drivers around you who may be busy staring at their phone screens, enjoying a big mac, or paying more attention to the person in the passenger seat than to the road. If you or a loved one are a victim of a traffic crash caused by negligent driving, call us today at (321) 777-7777. Drive safely!
